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The hidden caisson ceiling at Beijing's Zhihua Temple – don't miss it

ARIF NSN 19 hours ago

8 1 minute read

The hidden caisson ceiling at Beijing's Zhihua Temple – don't miss it

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-07-19/The-hidden-caisson-ceiling-at-Beijing-s-Zhihua-Temple-don-t-miss-it-1OUefrpAZKo/img/5a601d5a93c6440986aaa0167e65f097/5a601d5a93c6440986aaa0167e65f097.jpeg'

Situated above Beijing’s only surviving Ming Dynasty Zhuanlunzang, an exquisite wooden sutra cabinet standing more than four meters tall, the only remaining caisson ceiling at the Zhihua Temple can only be viewed from certain angles inside the hall where it is located. /CGTN

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-07-19/The-hidden-caisson-ceiling-at-Beijing-s-Zhihua-Temple-don-t-miss-it-1OUefrpAZKo/img/5a601d5a93c6440986aaa0167e65f097/5a601d5a93c6440986aaa0167e65f097.jpeg'

Situated above Beijing’s only surviving Ming Dynasty Zhuanlunzang, an exquisite wooden sutra cabinet standing more than four meters tall, the only remaining caisson ceiling at the Zhihua Temple can only be viewed from certain angles inside the hall where it is located. /CGTN

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-07-19/The-hidden-caisson-ceiling-at-Beijing-s-Zhihua-Temple-don-t-miss-it-1OUefrpAZKo/img/5a601d5a93c6440986aaa0167e65f097/5a601d5a93c6440986aaa0167e65f097.jpeg'

Situated above Beijing’s only surviving Ming Dynasty Zhuanlunzang, an exquisite wooden sutra cabinet standing more than four meters tall, the only remaining caisson ceiling at the Zhihua Temple can only be viewed from certain angles inside the hall where it is located. /CGTN

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-07-19/The-hidden-caisson-ceiling-at-Beijing-s-Zhihua-Temple-don-t-miss-it-1OUefrpAZKo/img/5a601d5a93c6440986aaa0167e65f097/5a601d5a93c6440986aaa0167e65f097.jpeg'

Situated above Beijing’s only surviving Ming Dynasty Zhuanlunzang, an exquisite wooden sutra cabinet standing more than four meters tall, the only remaining caisson ceiling at the Zhihua Temple can only be viewed from certain angles inside the hall where it is located. /CGTN

Featuring vibrant paintings and intricate carvings, the only remaining caisson ceiling at the Zhihua Temple in Beijing is easy to miss. Situated above the city’s only surviving Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Zhuanlunzang – an exquisite wooden sutra cabinet standing more than four meters tall – the caisson ceiling can only be viewed from certain angles inside the hall where it is located.

The temple originally had three exquisite caisson ceilings. The other two are now in the United States – one at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the other at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

ARIF NSN 19 hours ago

8 1 minute read

ARIF NSN

Muhammad Arif is a journalist repoting on Asian Affairs, with focus on connectivity in Eurasia. He holds Ph.D degree on Global Journalism from HBU, China, he teaches journalism at a university in Islamabad. He has language skills Chinese, Persian, Russian.